Detroit Fire Department highlights hazards of home heating

The Detroit Fire Department has provided advice for home heating, as the risk of fires inside the home increases over the winter months.

The organization spoke about how alternative heating sources made up nearly 30% of residential fires nationwide from 2019-2023. In Detroit alone, 73 fires were determined to have started because of alternative heating sources, such as warming fires indoors or improper use of home heating appliances.

Chief of Detroit Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Section, Dennis Hunter’s statement

Chief of Detroit Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Section, Dennis Hunter said: “Learning best practices around home heating safety is a necessity.

“Winters in Michigan can be quite cold, and to cut down on energy bills, many keep the thermostat low and use alternative heat sources to stay warm in the room they’re in. This can be a great option but must be done safely to prevent fires.”

The Detroit Fire Department is hosting a DFD Safety Series, a webinar series designed to educate the community. This is where they raised the issue of home heating.

Executive Fire Commissioner, Detroit Fire Department, Chuck Simms’ statement

Executive Fire Commissioner, Chuck Simms stated: “It is our responsibility at the Detroit Fire Department to educate our residents.

“I’m glad to see our residents engaged in learning about how to stay safe. Thanks to the team’s efforts across the board regarding fire prevention and community education, fire injuries and fatalities in the City of Detroit are down significantly.”

Space heater safety

There are several different types of space heaters, from infrared heaters to fan-forced heaters, to ceramic heaters to oil or water-filled radiator heaters. The Detroit Fire Department has shared their tips on how to stay safe when using a space heater:

• Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
• Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people.
• Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
• Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
• Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
• Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic.
• Never block an exit.
• Keep children away from the space heater.
• Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet.
• Never use an extension cord.
• Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed.

Carbon monoxide safety

In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

The Detroit Fire Department has discussed the implications of carbon monoxide (CO) an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely.

CO enters the body through breathing. CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, light headedness, or headaches.

These are the tips that the Detroit Fire Department gave towards ensuring carbon monoxide safety:

• Never use your stove as a primary heat source for your home; it is dangerous and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.
• Kerosene heaters should only be used indoors for short periods.
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
• During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
• A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
• Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO — only use outside.
• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes, or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.
• Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.
• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel.

The Detroit Fire Department provide advice for those warming their homes this winter: Summary

With the need to heat your home increasing over the winter months, the Detroit Fire Department has issued their tips to ensure everyone is kept safe.

Chief of Detroit Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Section, Dennis Hunter said learning best practices around home heating safety is a necessity.